Improvement in steering-apparatus



itntnl gieten T. M. RICHARDSON, OF STOOKTON, MAINE.

Letters Patent No. 96,964, dated November 16, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEERINGAPPARATS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom 'it muy concern:

Be it known that I, 'l-. M. RICHARDSON, of Stockton, in the county of \Valdo, and State of Maine, have invented-a new and valuable Improvement in Steering-Apparatus; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of..

veutiou Figure 2 is a front view or" the same.

Figure 3 is a detached view, showing the mode of,

connecting the block and bolt by spring-links.

My invention relates to steering-apparatus,and consists, mainly, in the construction and novel arrangement of devices, whereby the effects ofthe contraction or extension of the tiller-ropes, caused by the coudition of the atmosphere, are counteracted, and the evil consequences of sudden shocks of waves upon the rudder obviated.

The'letter A of the` drawings designates the rudderhead, to which is attached the tiller B, slotted, in the direction of its lengt-h, both horizontally 'and vertically, to admit of the free movement of the slide C within it.

D represents the wheel.

E, the barrel.

F F, the stanchious.

G G', H H are the blocks.

K represents a horizontal guide or slotted bar, in which moves the foot of a vertical piu, c', fixed to tle` slide C, 'thereby serving to keep the slide, and, consequent-ly, the blocks and 'filler-ropes, always in a direct line between the fixed bolts m and o1.

The blocks G and H are attac-hed to the bolts fm and n, respectively, by double links, so arranged that the link to which the block is attached works on a spriug,.s, secured to and coiled around the link which is attached to the bolt.

To the other ends of the blocks G and H, the ends of the tiller-rope a are attached.

Tile tilleul'ope then passes through the blocks G' and H, linked tothe loops formed in the ends of the slide C; then through the blocks G and H, and is then wound around the barrel E.

It is apparent that the eieets of the contraction or extension of the tiller-ropes, from moisture, atmospheric influence, or whatever cause, are, within ordinary limits, entirely counteracted by the action ofthe coiled springs s s. Further, when the rudder ot' a vessei is turned so that it is not a prolongation of' the `line of her keel, as, for instance, when lying to in 'a gale,

the sudden and violent shocks of the. waves against the upper portion of the rudder are destructive to the parts of ordinary steeriiig-apparatus, and are often the cause of accident to the hehnsman. All such evil consequences are obviated bythe use of the coiled springs s s, as above described.

NXVhat I claim as my invention.. and desire to seeure by Letters Patent, is-

lhe guide K, in combination with the pin c', slide C, springs srs, and tiller B, when constructed and arranged to operate as specified.

In test-'unony` that I Vclaim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name,in the presence of two witnesses.

T. M. RICHARDSON.

XVitnesses:

S. B. PENDLETON, L. A. PENDLnToN.v 

